Seed Borne Diseases: Ecofriendly Management

Book excerpt: Indian agriculture has witnessed spectacular advances in agricultural production in the last few decades. This was possible through green revolution in mid 60s leading to the country’s remarkable achievement in food grains and edible oil production. Seed has always been regarded as the most vital, basic and critical input in agriculture. It is interesting to note that today seed demand of only 10% farmers is met. Efforts are needed to provide good quality certify seeds to farmers. In recent years the awareness for seed health has increased among the growers, traders, and consumers. In post-GATT era and with emergence of WTO, seed health has assumed the global concern. Infection of seed borne pathogens results into seed rots, seedling decay, pre and post emergence mortality, distortion, discoloration, reduced seed size and shrivelledness of seeds. Their study and identification is primarily required to achieve satisfactory control. The book will be of great help to students, researchers, and people engaged in seed production activities. In this book, information about different seed borne diseases is presented in 20 chapters. There is an urgent need to find out effective, alternative methods of diseases control, which are less harmful to human beings and environment. There are chapters dealing with botanical pesticides and quarantine regulations. A chapter describes molecular aspects involved in seed borne diseases. The contents are divided into two parts (I) Seed borne diseases and (II) Wilt and foliar diseases and their control methods. Ecofriendly measures to control seed borne diseases are dealt in detail. The book provides comprehensive and integrated information on management of seed health written by experts in the field. It will be especially useful for students and young people involved in seed testing, seed industry as well as in teaching. Besides Agriculture Universities the book will be useful for all others offering courses related to Phytopathology and Seed Technology.